When you put new, 312 disks on the front, can you move the original front disks to the back, as i have heard that the back end gets a bit light under heavy braking, would this solution not sort the problem, or am i just being silly because there is an obvious reason why this is not an option?

Thanks

Good question, i'll be watching for an answer. Just done the 312mm conversion this afternoon, the back does go light. I thought it was off the floor, but my face was coming off at the time so i didnt really think about it.

I think the general consensus was the back brakes dont do much anyway, and there is a sensor that tells it how much it needs to brake at the back, so i think it wont make much, if any difference. The issue you are suffering is a suspension issue, that is, the car needs firmer suspension and better damping.

I think the general consensus was the back brakes dont do much anyway, and there is a sensor that tells it how much it needs to brake at the back, so i think it wont make much, if any difference. The issue you are suffering is a suspension issue, that is, the car needs firmer suspension and better damping.

I do actually agree with you there

When braking, the rear brakes do around 25% of the braking.. due to most the wieght of the car (any car) being over the front wheels when braking..

the rear brakes are also a complete different design and in no way compatible.

IMO The standard braking setup is designed to avoid issues such as the rear end becoming light and wriggling/squirming under braking - modifying the suspension will only cure the problem so far...I know its on the Ibiza but both me and my friend have 312s, I have factory "sport suspension" and he had kw v1 coilovers - on hard braking both of the cars snake around lots (is feels slightly more planted but not a great amount) because the cars braking balance isnt set up to accomodate the better front end braking power, especially if you use performance 312 discs and the pads that go with them. TBH You do need to really slam them on from quite a high speed to get the back end to go light, if you are smooth and dont slam them on at the last moment, you can work with the brakes. I know I'd rather have a slightly lighter rear end and the much improved power of the 312's than the crappy standard brakes which hardly inspired confidence. I suppose the lighter rear end is something that comes with the terroritory of using much bigger front brakes and leaving the rears unchanged. I think the balance is roughly 85% front to 15% rear.

Its not the case of balance front rear as weight transfer rear front when you have big front anchors. suspension dive makes for a light rear, so bigger rears would only make things worse. Try to stop the dive from the suspension.

What seems to work on ibiza's, and maybe Fabia's too, is increasing the rear track width to increase the stability. (rear track is narrower on ibiza's, and 15mm spacers/side improve the stability no end)

Worth a go.

OK, so better supsension and dampers, firstly, no probs...

How do you increase the track width, and can this be done on the Fabia, as mentioned above? Anyone?

Thirdly, you all seem to be saying that bigger brakes at the back, will make no difference if not make it worse... that seems a bit strange to me, but I dont know a huge amount about cars.

Alex

OK' date=' so better supsension and dampers, firstly, no probs...

How do you increase the track width, and can this be done on the Fabia, as mentioned above? Anyone?

Thirdly, you all seem to be saying that bigger brakes at the back, will make no difference if not make it worse... that seems a bit strange to me, but I dont know a huge amount about cars.

Alex[/quote']

Track width can be increased by adding wheel spacers.

The brakes are biassed more to the fronts than the rear, so bigger brakes on the rear will only marginally improve the performance for ordinary driving. Having the rear wheels lock up at speed is not nice!

Maybe a change of pads on the back will be sufficient.

Forgot to add, that improving the grip (i.e, tyres) will improve braking performance as well. Rear tyres with plenty of grip are just as important as having plenty of grip on the fronts.

Had a look around a Leon Cupra cup car at the BTCC a few weeks ago and it had huge race spec slotted front discs with calipers the size of a brick whilst the rear brakes looked totally stock and tiny in comparison.

Same with the Astra VXR - it has tiny rear brakes.

Thanks everyone, where can I get spacers from, and should both front and back be done, or just back. Also wont that make the wheels stick out at the side, I thought it was illegal to have wheels, that sat out at the side?

Thanks everyone, where can I get spacers from, and should both front and back be done, or just back. Also wont that make the wheels stick out at the side, I thought it was illegal to have wheels, that sat out at the side?

Badger Bill Can help you out with the spacers (see details in his post above)! Just the rears will be OK.

If you go for something like 10mm spacers, it won't push the wheels further than the arches. Remember to get some longer wheel bolts as well.

Had a look around a Leon Cupra cup car at the BTCC a few weeks ago and it had huge race spec slotted front discs with calipers the size of a brick whilst the rear brakes looked totally stock and tiny in comparison.

LCRs have Brembo brakes as standard. 323mm discs & 4 pot calipers. MMMMMMmmmmmmmm!

Also Alex have a look at the rear wheels, you will see they are somewhat sunk in the rear arches, so even with 10mm spacers they wont protrude the arches

to be fair it also happens on the standard setup, as it happened when I was following jon (I think thats the right chap) around silverstone last yer a trax. Gave myself some space and then put on a charge, however the person in front wasn't going as quick as I first though so I hit the brakes hard which caused the back to twitch. I assume with more stopping power it will only twitch more, but again to be fair it's not a great deal I've been in worse cars.

Walkie have you done the spacers or are you happy with your brakes

Mike,

No spacers, yet...

Tbh I've only felt a light rear end once, and that was slamming on very hot breaks at some speed.

I dont pussy foot with the breaks either, so I find it hard to beleive its a problem unless you drive like a loon

One thing that made a significant difference was when I lowerd the car with stiffer springs, as the nose dive before was pretty much unbareable!

One thing that made a significant difference was when I lowerd the car with stiffer springs, as the nose dive before was pretty much unbareable!

Would you suggest I aquire some new suspension before I bolt on my new brakes then? or is it a case of I can live with it as long as I don't brake late/hard all the time?

Would you suggest I aquire some new suspension before I bolt on my new brakes then? or is it a case of I can live with it as long as I don't brake late/hard all the time?

Sorry, I may have over exagerated (sp?) a little.

It isnt unbareable; for normal day to day driving you wont get it, but for brisk driving with heavy breaking it is quite a nose dive.

But tbh I didnt know any different so your used to it, but I was amazed when I fitted* the springs the difference it made, it was huge! Not to mention the improved handling

*I say 'I fitted', but I actually didn't, it was a well respected Skoda Master Tech

cheers matey

Getting my suspension sorted at the begining of next month once that's done I'll have a look into the braking area

Mort - I'm guess aslong as you dont ask too much too soon they will be fine

Mort - I'm guess aslong as you dont ask too much too soon they will be fine

Thanks, both of you, It's just my girlfriend has started 'commenting' on my late braking (it's not late, honest) and I don't want to fuel it by scraping the bumper or anything with the new 312's

I'll fit them and be good. Then it gives me more of an excuse to get some springs/coilovers if I don't like it

Thanks' date=' both of you, It's just my girlfriend has started 'commenting' on my late braking (it's not late, honest) and I don't want to fuel it by scraping the bumper or anything with the new 312's

I'll fit them and be good. Then it gives me more of an excuse to get some springs/coilovers if I don't like it [/quote']

if she comments too much you could always do my old trick. Say "think you can to better do you?" and after cross your arms and look out of the side window whilst rapidly coming to a bend. It will do one of two things

1) Scare her to bits and shut her up in the future

2) you crash and burn

ever way you wont have the comments again!

*disclaimer I have never done this in the real world Mr Policeman!!

Its not the case of balance front rear as weight transfer rear front when you have big front anchors. suspension dive makes for a light rear' date=' so bigger rears would only make things worse. Try to stop the dive from the suspension.

What seems to work on ibiza's, and maybe Fabia's too, is increasing the rear track width to increase the stability. (rear track is narrower on ibiza's, and 15mm spacers/side improve the stability no end)

Worth a go.[/quote']

If widening the track at the rear increases rear stability, why didn't they make it wider to begin with? Is it a case of sacrificing front end grip and causing more understeer to get the back to grip better?

*disclaimer I have never done this in the real world Mr Policeman!!

Thanks, both of you, It's just my girlfriend has started 'commenting' on my late braking

I tried late braking twice...........................2 kids